Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains Writes to Union Minister for Immediate Action on Punjabi in CBSE Curriculum
Chandigarh, February 27, 2025 – In a bold stand for linguistic and cultural rights, Punjab’s School Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, has written a strongly-worded letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan demanding the immediate restoration of Punjabi as a main subject in the CBSE curriculum for Class 10. This move comes in response to recent changes in the CBSE exam pattern that have effectively sidelined the Punjabi language, a core part of Punjab’s heritage and identity.
A Deliberate Oversight or Systematic Exclusion?
The letter, which was sent on Thursday, expresses the Punjab government’s deep dissatisfaction with the new CBSE exam scheme for the 2025-26 academic year. Under the proposed changes, only five main subjects—Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English, and Hindi—were included for regular board exams. This reclassification places Punjabi in the optional category, alongside foreign languages, a move that Bains has called “unacceptable.”
“Punjabi was omitted from the list of regional and foreign languages, even as languages like German, French, Thai, and Japanese were included,” Bains wrote. He emphasized that this exclusion was not just an administrative mistake, but a “deliberate attempt” to undermine Punjabi, which is one of India’s most widely spoken languages.
While there was some acknowledgment of the issue from CBSE after media pressure and protests, Bains insisted that this was not a simple clerical error but a systematic attempt to weaken Punjabi. He further demanded that the Union Education Ministry take full responsibility and investigate the matter thoroughly.
Punjab’s Stance on Language and Identity
Harjot Bains’ letter is part of the Punjab government’s broader effort to preserve and promote the Punjabi language as a key part of the region’s cultural identity. On February 26, 2025, the Punjab government issued a notification mandating that Punjabi be a main subject in all schools across the state, regardless of the educational board to which the institution is affiliated. This policy reinforces the importance of Punjabi as a cornerstone of Punjab’s cultural heritage and heritage.
The notification also clarifies that any education certificate issued without Punjabi as a main subject will be considered null and void. This strong stance reflects the state’s commitment to ensuring that Punjabi remains a vital part of education and cultural expression for future generations.
Calls for National Inclusion of Punjabi
In his letter, Bains not only demanded that Punjabi be reinstated as a main subject in CBSE schools across Punjab but also called for the language to be included in the list of regional languages available to students nationwide. This would allow students from all parts of India the option to study Punjabi as part of their curriculum, further promoting the language’s national significance.
Bains’ position highlights the growing importance of regional languages in India’s education system. He stressed that Punjabi was not just a means of communication but a symbol of the state’s sacrifices during the Indian freedom struggle and its ongoing contributions to the nation’s security and culture.
A Call for Immediate Action
Bains’ letter emphasized the urgency of the issue, requesting immediate intervention from the Union government. He demanded the rollback of the current draft exam pattern, describing it as a violation of state laws and a direct attack on the linguistic and cultural identity of Punjab. The Education Minister also insisted that the central government offer a clear assurance that Punjabi will be reinstated as a core subject in CBSE-affiliated schools.
“We cannot let Punjabi be relegated to the background. It’s not just a language, it’s the soul of Punjab,” Bains stated in his letter, further asserting that the Punjabi language has a unique place in India’s linguistic and cultural fabric.
Impact on Students and Cultural Sentiment
The proposed changes to the CBSE curriculum have sparked outrage not just among political leaders but also within the broader Punjabi community. Many citizens view this as an attack on their cultural identity, and there is a growing sense of disillusionment over the marginalization of Punjabi.
Punjab has long been a proud advocate for its language, and with Punjabi being one of India’s most spoken languages, the exclusion from the mainstream educational framework is viewed by many as a significant blow to its preservation.
The Way Forward: Ensuring Linguistic Rights
The controversy has highlighted the need for greater inclusivity in India’s education policies, particularly with regard to regional languages. As India moves toward an increasingly globalized future, it is crucial that regional languages like Punjabi continue to be valued and incorporated into the national curriculum, ensuring that the next generation remains connected to their linguistic roots.
The Punjab government’s firm stance on this issue serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation within a rapidly changing world. With the issue now in the hands of the Union Education Ministry, all eyes are on how the central government will respond to the demands for action.
The Continued Fight for Language Rights
As this issue develops, Harjot Bains’ efforts reflect a broader struggle for linguistic rights across India. The outcome of this battle may set a precedent for the treatment of other regional languages in the country’s education system, shaping the future of Indian languages in the academic landscape.